APS Staff Earn ‘Secret Shopper’ Awards

Aurora Public Schools recently honored several classified staff members for their exemplary service through the Noticing and Naming/Secret Shopper initiative. 

The staff members were commended for being genuine, pleasant, helpful and supportive on a consistent basis with people who enter offices throughout the district. Here are highlights from the honorees:

APS - Always Providing Service

Division of Equity and Engagement: Ana Sias 

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Ana Sias

• Ana is so amazing as she welcomes parents, students, school staff and hearing officers for expulsion hearings.  Ana greets all the people with a smile and a genuine handshake as she welcomes them to the conference room. She supplies water and makes copies or provides necessary support so that each meeting goes well. Congratulations, Ana! 

 Sable Elementary School: Barb Majalca 

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Barb Majalca

• As I walked into Sable, Mrs. Barb Majalca is the first person who greeted me with a great big smile. She was speaking to a parent in Spanish, and you could see the parents’ interaction with Barb was easy going and relaxed. She greeted me with the same positive and warm demeanor helping me feel welcomed and taking care of what I needed. At the same time she was helping a substitute teacher get settled into Sable with a substitute’s folder and a treat bag. Congratulations, Barb!

Vassar Elementary School: Debbie Smith 

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Debbie Smith

• As I was signing into the building, I saw Debbie entering the school with a parent she had picked up to attend a meeting. They were talking and determining where to meet after the meeting so that she could drive the parent home. She was explaining details about the meeting and helping her find her way to the meeting room. Debbie always goes the extra mile! Congratulations, Debbie!

 South Middle School: Gloria Rodriquez

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Gloria Rodriguez

• Walking into South I was greeted by Gloria at the front office. Gloria is a kind, upbeat and energetic person who greets people with a smile and a kind ear.  I saw Gloria working with a student whereas sitting next to her. Gloria was asking the student what he needed to do and what he understood as he was completing an assignment. She explained to the student what was expected and how she would support him.  Gloria is such an important member of the South Middle School family. Congratulations, Gloria!

Hinkley High School: Isabel Medina

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Isabel Medina

• Upon entering the office I was greeted by Isabel with a warm smiling face. Isabel was talking with a Spanish speaking parent but still took the time to let me know she noticed I was there. Isabel will ask parents or visitors what they need and help them get a visitor pass in exchange for an ID or check for APS ID. I saw parents lined up to talk with her and noticed how comfortable they are and how many she knew by name. Isabel asks the student assistants to escort the parent to wherever they need to go. Congratulations, Isabel! 

Transportation: Skylar Morales
 

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Skylar Morales

• While attending a meeting at Serenity Day Treatment I was awe struck as a watched a para on the bus interacting with the students. Skylar was friendly and positive with the driver, staff and students. You could see the individual attention he gave each student and the positive relation between them. He called each student by name and understood how to engage them in conversation and held high expectations for their behavior in a positive and supportive manner. The students were smiling and waving as they left the bus. Skylar is an asset to the APS transportation team. Congratulations, Skylar!

Century Elementary School: Roderick Cowherd 

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Roderick Cowherd

• At Century I observed an amazing man working with children. I observed Rod talking with a student and made sure as people were around him that his primary focus was on the student. Rod was naming and noticing what the student had been doing and then addressed the students next steps in a positive and proactive manner. As they were finishing their conversation you could feel the connection the two of them had. Rod explained that he would be connecting with the student’s teacher to make sure they were all on the same page and that he would be connecting with the parent. The student was happy and went on his way. Congratulations, Roderick!